- 15,175 brake-focused inspections conducted across North America.
- 2,296 commercial vehicles (15.1%) placed out of service for brake-related issues.
- Most common violation: 20% or more defective service brakes.
- 2026 Brake Safety Week scheduled for August 23–29.
Inspectors in 52 jurisdictions across North America conducted 15,175 commercial motor vehicle inspections during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2025 Brake Safety Week, held August 24–30. The annual enforcement initiative focuses on ensuring the integrity and safety of braking systems — a critical factor in commercial vehicle operation.
Inspection Results Across Regions
Of all vehicles inspected, 84.9% passed without any brake-related out-of-service (OOS) violations, while 15.1% were placed out of service.
- United States: 13,700 inspections; 2,035 OOS (14.9%)
- Canada: 1,459 inspections; 260 OOS (17.8%)
- Mexico: 16 inspections; 1 OOS (6.3%)
Combined, inspectors identified 2,296 OOS brake violations across North America.
Primary Brake Violations
The most common OOS cause was when 20% or more of a vehicle’s service brakes were defective, accounting for 1,199 violations (52.2% of all brake-related OOS).
Table 1 – Out-of-Service Brake Violations
- 20% Defective Brakes Violations: 1,199
- Other Brake Violations: 375
- Brake Hoses/Tubes: 306
- Steering Axle Violations: 199
- Air Loss Rate: 100
Focus on Drums and Rotors
This year’s special focus area was drum and rotor condition. Inspectors recorded 113 violations, with 39 vehicles placed out of service for related issues.
Table 2 – Drum and Rotor Violations
- Broken Rotor: 25 total (22 air disc, 3 hydraulic)
- Rusted Rotor: 54 total (50 air disc, 4 hydraulic)
- Broken Drum: 34 total (32 S-cam, 2 hydraulic)
- Metal-to-Metal: 0
Performance-Based Brake Testing
Fifteen U.S. states used performance-based brake testers (PBBT) to conduct 528 inspections. The test measures braking efficiency, which must meet or exceed 43.5% to pass.
- 503 vehicles (95.3%) met the standard.
- 25 vehicles (4.7%) failed and were placed out of service.
Commitment to Ongoing Brake Safety
CVSA’s Operation Airbrake Program underpins Brake Safety Week, combining enforcement, inspection, and education to reduce brake-related crashes. The Alliance emphasizes proper brake inspection, maintenance, and operation for fleet safety and regulatory compliance.
Next year’s Brake Safety Week will take place August 23–29, 2026.
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